The Chat Mods are August's Featured Contributer(s)!

by **Traverse** on August 1st, 2013, 3:21 am

Hello Mizahar!

This month's pick for featured contributor may be a little different from the norm, but I think you can all agree that is no less deserved. Chat is a great place for folks to make new friends, answer those burning questions, and check in on goings on. We owe this wonderful state of chat to the folks with colored names, for keeping an eye on things in the good times and the bad, and if you didn't know your friendly chat mods before, they'll soon have a brand new medal to show off to the rest of the site. Thanks guys, Mizahar's chat and atmosphere is a better place because of what you do!

The Interview

These responses are from some but not all of our lovely chat mods, who answered this questionaire without knowing that it was for this month's featured thread, hooray for surprises! If you'd like to know who said what I put them in alphabetical order: (Accolade, Banickle, Phoenix, Poison (added in), and Verilian)

1. So not all chat mods are STs, and not all STs are chat mods. What made you decide that you wanted to be a colored presence in the chat room? Late hours at the office, hoping to help those new folks off their feet?

I was an ST first, and since I spent a lot of time in chat I figured I could lend a hand there also. I wasn't the best with other cities or magic talk, but the starting guide I knew and so I could help with that for sure.
I was asked, by Gossamer, to be a chat mod. I guess because I'm in there pretty much on a daily basis and I like to help players, I was considered a good candidate, plus, I know how to behave like an adult...from time to time.
When I became a chat mod, there were very few of us and I found myself, more often than not, in chat when something "went down" and I had to go running for someone with power to fix it. Then one day I said to myself, "Jules. You could have power." And the rest is history.
I didn’t decide to be a chat mod. Another chat mod recommended me to Gossamer, and then I was suddenly green (and found that I enjoyed it)!
I don't remember exactly what made me want to be a chat mod. I think it was because whenever I was in chat, I would always help people or tell them when they were breaking a rule anyway, so I figured I might as well make it official.

2. Being a chat mod is a different form of moderation than is usually seen on Mizahar, with different risks and rewards. What have been your favorite moments during your time as one?

My favorite moments are when players PM me and thank me for helping them, or just for be a positive and friendly person. That when I know that I'm doing good things.
I enjoy being the "go to" person. It's the Virgo in me. It pleases me to help others. So when someone sees me as a greenie in chat, they gravitate my way and ask for help, which I am more than willing and wanting to do.
This is a tough one, though I think my favorite moment is not really anything all that specific. I think it is hilarious when everyone takes everything I have to say as law simply because I am the color of Kermits puke. I once told Chat that I was being promoted to Founder because of a dream I had where Jen made the announcement of my ascension. I had to quickly quell the resulting riot, but it was still quite memorable.
My favourite moments are when all the people in chat are polite to each other, have interesting discussions and don’t make any stupid jokes. I also really enjoy it when I can help somebody and my help is appreciated (which isn’t always the case).
Hmm... favorite moment? I can't really think of a specific "favorite" moment. I know my favorite moments are when I get to help a new player with their questions, and they actually listen. But I can't think of any specific instances.

3. Conversely, what have been your least favorite moments?

Those would be the times where I had to boot people for being jerks. When people come into chat and want to make it all about them, or are there just judging what everyone else is doing.
Babysitting relentless brats. I hate coming into chat and getting bombarded with complaints. Then, even worse, trying to deal with said brat, which everyone is complaining about, who just won't listen. It can be so frustrating at times and it really can put a sour taste in one's mouth.
My least favorite moment was probably the one that made me finally apply to be a chat mod. It was Christmas Day, and I was in chat with Kvist (one of the many Marcus's in Syliras) when a troll came in and spammed some profanities for about an hour. We had put him on ignore, but it was difficult to explain to each new person that entered chat what they needed to do when they were being blinded by the F-bomb.
I don’t have any particular least favourite moments. I don’t like it when people misbehave, are rude and don’t listen so that I eventually have to remove them from chat.
My least favorite moment, and I will leave out names, is when I had to get on to someone and almost kicked them from chat for newbie bashing. Do not be mean to newbs. If I see you doing it, I will kill you.. in a non-literal, chat banning sort of way.

4. In an ideal world, what would your chat room look like?

It would be filled with people discussing writing and character development, and maybe even ways to better the website as a whole. People would keep their personal business out of conversations and their judgments to themselves. They wouldn't feel the need to show all of the world what kind of pervs they are by talking about sex everyday and all day. In an ideal world we wouldn't need chat mods, but if they were there the players would respect and listen to them.
For the most part, I really like our chat. That said, it would be nice if there was a way to designate Storytellers, as well as a way to let someone know that your are AFK, besides just saying it. Like a marker or something. There have been several times when I've been in chat, I say I'm going AFK, and then I get ten whispers while I'm gone. Not fun.
It would be a big, circular room with at least two dozen big, squishy arm chairs and multiple fireplaces. It would be set up in a circle so that when you sat down, we were all facing one another. Everyone would drink tea or coffee the proper way (with your pinky out) and we would all have polite conversation until the caffeine kicked in. Then we would be a rowdy lot and would probably retire to the hot tub conveniently located in the far corner (yes, corner) of the circular room.

We would have hot (sexy) waiters (waitresses) that brought us refreshments and there would be a ceiling like in Harry Potter that changes to reflect the time of day and the weather outside as a public service to all us nerds that never really do see the light of day

Also after writing that up I realize that's not at all what you were asking but... tough luck.
There is no ideal world, but if such a thing existed people would have constructive discussions about Mizahar and everything else, they wouldn’t feel the need to be rude or complain about minor issues. They wouldn’t make any stupid jokes, and they wouldn’t feel the need to dislike moderators or Founders just because they are ... moderators or Founders.
People discussing Mizahar. No links to stupid videos I don't want to watch. No newbie bashing. There might be a few non-Miz related discussions every once in a while, but for the most part, people would discuss their ideas, ask questions and be given helpful answers, and it would be a happy place with no drama. Oh, and people would never enter the chat with incorrect names.

5. Miz is a busy bustling place, filled with people going about their lives while making time for this awesome collaboration. How do you make the time for modding chat? Is it just one of your tabs as you reply to posts and check the e-mail, or is there a certain amount of time you set aside for the task?

When I first started I was in chat daily for hours at least, and so that time became my chat time. Later I got more busy, but whenever I had the time to log in I do so. Normally chat is open on my tabs, and I sometimes leave it up even when I'm away..which might not be a good thing lol
I try to log in whenever I'm on. However, if I want to get a project done, I don't. Chat can be both distracting and irritating at times.
I try to be in chat as often as possible. This means that I usually log into it on my phone when I am out and about. A lot of times, I am logged into chat but not actually there. This is unfortunate because I miss all the fun! But it is how it is, I suppose. People usually poke me on AIM if I am needed for anything important. When I am on my laptop, however, I usually have chat in the first tab and I am glancing at it frequently. Let me tell you though, being a chat mod seriously cuts down on my productivity since I don't set aside any amount of time and just constantly log in whenever I think of it.
I don’t really make time for chat in particular. I usually have the chat room open in the evening when I’m sitting at the computer, writing or playing games. I will regularly watch chat in between doing other things and write something when there is a discussion that interests me or somebody is causing trouble.
I currently have no internet at home, and terrible cellphone reception on the ranch, so 99.992% of my Miz time is done at work. I fear the day when I inevitably leave this job. Usually, when I'm in chat, it's when I have no inspiration to post, but am too bored to work.. so some days that is a lot of time, and others, not as much. And I always log in on lunch. It works out though, because I often log on in the mornings when other mods are still sleeping.

6. As beings that have seen the whole gamut of attitudes in chat, from shy and polite to the lumbering troll, are there any words of wisdom you would give out to the community about stepping into your chat room? How is one to get the most out of a visit to the hip happening place that is chat?

Politeness is key I would say. People seem bent on pulling feeling out of simple text, so being polite is the best thing. Be kind and friendly that's the only way to save yourself from butthurt.
Simply put, treat others as you would want or expect to be treated. Be patient. Be kind. We were all new at some point, so be a little understanding if someone comes in and has a dozen questions. That's what chat is for! Oh, and for the love of the gods above, don't jump all over someone who has no clue how we do things around here, including our rules on names. Yes, there's a pm that goes out, but, yes, players usually come running in without reading said pm. A gentle nudge usually sets things straight. Usually. But, please, say "Hi" before you push them out the door to "go read the pm!"
Don't be shy and don't be afraid to ask questions. Those people that use emotes and "sigh sadly and sit ignored in the corner" couldn't be any more irritating. Chat sometimes moves really fast, and if your questions aren't getting answered in public chat, then PM a Chat Mod/ST and ask to speak to them privately. A lot of people in chat are new/newer and probably don't know the answer to your questions, and thus ignore them.
Chat is an interesting beast, and I think the best way to get the most out of it is patience and moderation. Don't constantly be logged into chat, and don't expect everyone to be able to answer every question you may have. Even now, people still come up with scenarios that make me go "Hm... I never thought of that before." If chat is moving fast and is as crazy as it normally is... just sit back and enjoy. Maybe pop some popcorn. Don't try to fight it. You'll be just as crazy soon enough.
Be polite to the other people in chat. Treat them as you yourself want to be treated. Respect their opinions and avoid topics that you know might be controversial. If somebody says something to you, listen instead of being rude.
Don't be an ass. Donkey's are not allowed in chat. Yes, I am racist that way... against donkeys. Seriously, don't come into chat and be a rude jerk who pisses other people off. If a player or chat mod tries to help you with something, listen to them. Chances are they have been around longer than you. So if you want to get the most out of your visit.. don't be an ass.

7. And on the other end of the spectrum, to those looking to perhaps join the ranks of chat mod, what advice would you impart upon them? Is there a good background to have before signing up?

For anyone looking to be chatmod, They need a thick skin. They really do, because people will push and try to intimidate chatmods if they can. There are also people who will kiss up to you to try and get you on their side should something go sour in chat. But having a good attitude, patience and loving talking to people are key things I would say.
You better have a high tolerance for randomness and, well, silliness. Even with the best of moderators, chat can easily become very random and silly. You honestly never know what will be discussed or asked in chat. Mizahar should be the topic, but even then it can go down the path of odd and unusual.
Patience and Kindness. Chat Mod's aren't just so that you can have a cool colored name. You have to be in chat often and you have to have a history of having a level head and a calm demeanor. You have to be able to be the bad guy and step up when it is necessary to put people in their place, break up an argument, tone down the language or content, or boot a troll. Immaturity, minor blow ups and other undesirable traits will most likely get you a "Thanks, but no thanks" from the Chat Mod crew.
As far as I am concerned there are no specific requirements – apart from one. While some knowledge of Mizahar and familiarity with the rules are without a doubt helpful, the most important thing is patience. Be patient to the people in chat, be calm and polite.
...don't be an ass. Refer to the above answer for more details. Beyond that, I feel that if you want to be a chat mod, you should have a good character, experience on the site, and be knowledgeable of the lore. Chat mods are like the front line for questions to be answered. Their response is usually the first one a player will hear (not counting the uneducated answers of know-it-alls who know nothing), and they need to make sure they answer things correctly. If a chat mod tells you something, and then it turns out to be wrong, it's really going to suck for you down the line. So as a chat mod, you should really know your stuff.

8. A lot of people can find rp-partners, answers to those niggling questions, and buddies in chat. What has been one of the big rewards as a PC or ST for you by being an active member of the group moderating this venue?

I would say that by being in chat and talking with the people and giving them advice and the like, that it has in ways helped Syliras. The players are talking it up more and now people are joining the city daily. Strangely I rarely ever talk about my PCs in chat and pretty much all of my rp talk has gone on in PMs.
I love when two players meet in chat and then go off to make beautiful stories together. I also like being able to point someone to a specific lore, right in the moment, and then answer their questions, as needed, right there, without hesitation.
Since my PC and my ST account were for a long time both in Wind Reach, I hadn't really done much outside of Kalea. As a chat mod and someone who is active in chat, I have learned a LOT from the players I have had to help and those conversations that I have watched. I have found myself looking at different players or cities that I wouldn't have considered before because someone gave me a perspective that I would have never come up with on my own.

On a similar hand, I have met a lot of cool people that I have been able to weedle into helping out as an ST either in my region or others, as well as good friends and RP partners that I still play with to this day. It is really a great resource for all sorts of things when you really pay attention.
I find it very rewarding when I can help a new player.
I absolutely love helping people with their questions. When I can help someone, and they actually listen, that is my biggest reward.

9. After being on the site a while, it’s sometimes hard to remember that we were all new players once, but I have always seen chat mods as these equalizers for players new and veteran in the chat rooms. Any embarrassing stories to share with us of your pre-mod times?

Yes! When I first joined chat I didn't know how to whisper. It was the first time that I've ever saw that and I thought it was a cute joke. So whenever someone whispered me I would type (whisper) as it appeared and then reply which gave the chat a funny one sided conversation lol I was VERY embarrassed..still am.
Not really. I was always more of an observer in chat, before I became a moderator.
Oh yes. When I first started I had no idea that Wind Reach was on a mountain. Yes, I know, I know. But I had pictured it... at the foot of the mountain? I just have to say that those first discussions with people were the most confusing things that I've ever experienced, since they assumed that I knew what Wind Reach was.
I don’t have any embarrassing stories to share, I’m afraid. I’ve been a moderator – and a chat moderator – for so long that I hardly remember the time before that.
I honestly can't remember a time before I was a mod, lol. I vaguely recall being known as Sira before V, but I don't remember anything about the chat.

10. Searching for some face-palming awesomeness, what is the most outrageous question you have ever received in chat?

Well just a few days ago a player wanted to know if his master skilled PC could beat up all the Knights. I found that very funny.
I can't say I've had anything worthy of mentioning, but I'm sure my time will come.
Probably the one asking what kind of adult themed movies I had starred in.
I don’t remember a particular question, but it’s safe to write that there have been quite a few outrageous or strange questions.
The most outrageous? ....well.. actually, that's classified. And I can't remember the other ones. The classified one just blocks out all memory of other questions. ..either that, or I just have a bad memory, which is far more likely.